Wall construction.



Patented 001;, 25, 1910.

1 Thw \L AMA m m? Emir. ST N LN Wm L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB K. HOFFMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HALE-KIL-BUBN METAL COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OIPENNSYLVANIA,

Specification cfLetters Patent.

Application filed May 25, 1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Serial No. 498,193.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, JACOB K. I'IOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvanla, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WallConstruction, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention is directed to the provision of an. improved form of wallconstruction susceptible of use in various ways but of special utilityin the construction of railway cars made largely of metal.

4 In the construction of a railway car, posts are employed at intervalsalong the side walls of the car extending vertically and supporting theroof of the car, and the windows in the side walls of the car'arelocated in the spaces between adjacent posts.

In accordance with the present invention,

. the structure consists largely or entirely of metallic parts, theseincluding vertically-disposed metallic posts and sheet-metalwindow-frames secured thereto between adjacent posts. If desired, all ofthe spaces between the posts may have windows therein, but in thepreferred construction the windows occur in altern lte spaces and theother spaces are closed by panels. In building a car in this way, thereis always some little variation in the size and shape of the spacesbetween adjacent posts; but the openings in the window-frames which areto be placed I between these posts must be uniform, that is, must beindependent of'this variation, in order that the window shall operatesmoothly therein. I have t erefore provided v means forsecuring thesewindoweframes to the vertically dis osed metafilic posts on either sidethereo such aswil compensate or allow for the variation in the size andshape of the spaces between the posts, which variation I have foundalways to be present to some extent even though considerable care beexercised in building the car. Adjustable securing devices are providedfor coacting with.- the window-frame and the posts for supporting theside wall of the car such that even ugh the post is out of position aconsiderable amount, the frame ma stillQbe secured to the post", andthis wit out distorting; the frame in such a way as wouldmake't e windowfit imperfectly therein. This method of manufacture ofl'ers fa -furtherand very important advantage,

namely, it permits of making the parts for the side wall of a car in(piantitios and assembling them to form the complete car without fittingeach part in position individually, and a material reduction in the costof building cars is thus effected.

I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention in theaccompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a' portionof I the side wall of a car broken away in part, Fig. 2 is a horizontalsect-ion of the same, Fig. 3 is a horizontal section illustrating amodified form of my invention and Fig. t is a detail view illustratingcertain of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to these drawings, 1 and 2 indicate two of the posts lyingwithin the side wall of the car and supporting the roof thereof. Anumber of these posts are employed in each side wall and they aredisposed at intervals along the length of'the car. A window is shown at3, the sash 4L of which is adapted to move vertically with in 'a framewhich is secured to the posts 1 and 2. In the construction of railwaycars,

it is found that the size and shape of the spaces between adjacent posts1 and 2 vary to some extent, even though considerable care is exercisedin positioning these posts. However, the space between opposite sides ofthe frame for a window must be accurate as to size and shape in orderthat the movement ofthe sash 4 therein may be readily effected and thatthe sash will not rattle in the frame. i p

In order to insure the opening inthe window-frame being accurate as tosize and shape, I make the frame with the side mem bers thereof rigidlyconnected, as byforming at least three of the sides of thisframeintegral; if desired, however, all four of the sides of the frame may beformed integral, or the frame may consist of framemembers which aresecured together at their ends as by weldingin order to form a.;uni-

tary' structure. I have shown the, windowframe in Figs. '1 and 2 ashavin 'three sides thereof formed integral, each of these sidesincluding a portion 5 which extends transversely to the plane of thewall of the car, a portion 6 lying int-he plane of the wall and formingapart of the outer surface thereof and a portion 7 at the edge of theportion 6 extending inwardly ofthe wall.

' either side of the The portion 5 ofthe frame has a plurality ofsheet-metal parts 8 formed thereon or secured thereto and forminggrooves within which the windows 3 move. The portion 5 of the windowframe may or may not be integral with the portion 6 thereof asdescribed, the practice in this respect being dependent upon conveniencein'manufacturing these parts and the desirability of having the portion5 removable independent of the portion 6. In the drawings I =have shownthe portion 6 of the frame as pro vided with a narrow integral portionlying in the plane of the wall 5, the latter being formed as a separatecheek-piece.

Since the window-frame is accurately made with respect to the size andshape of the window thereof and since variation occurs in the. distancebetween adjacent posts 1 and 2 which form the supports for thewindow-frame, I have provided means'for securing the frame to the posts1 and .2, this being adjustable to allow for such variation as may occurin the relative positions of these parts. Thus, at the right of Fig. 2 Ihave shown brackets 9 adjustably secured to the posts 2 and having theframe secured thereto. ing through openings in the post 2 and thebrackets 9, and nuts 11 'are provided on these, rods one on either sideof the post 2 and one on either side of each of the brackets 9. By meansof this construction whatever the relative positions of the posts 1 and2, the brackets 9 may be secured to the posts and then adjusted towardand away from them by pro erly positioning the nuts 11 upon the ro s 10so that the distance between the brackets 9 on opposite sides of thepanel for the window'shall be such that the frame will exactly fitwithin this s ace. The nuts 11 may then be tightened to 100 c thebrackets 9 rigidly in position and the frame may then be positionedbetween the opposite brackets and secured thereto by means of the screws12.

At the left of Fig. 2 a slight modification of theconstruction shown atthe ri ht of that figure is illustrated, this modi cation consisting ofsecuring the rods 10 rigidly to the brackets 9 instead of adjustably.

With this construction the adjustment of the ositions of the brackets 9is eifectedsolely y moving rods 10 relativel to the posts 1. As shown inFig. 2, one o the rods 10 of each pair may be extendedytnd employed tosecure the portions 7' of the frame and thus making the structure morerigid. I have shown certain of the rods 10 as passing through openingsvin the portions 7- of the frame and having nuts thereon one on I ortion7 which maybe tightened up tb ho d the latter rigidly.

If desired, a window may be provided between each pair of adjacent posts1 and 2 Threaded rods 10 are employed passplate 19.

For supporting the'panels, the ortions 7 of the window-frame arepreferab ly pressed to form shoulders thereinv upon which the edges ofthe panels 13 may window-frame by molding strips 14 having studs thereonwhich pass through openings.

inthe edges of the anels l3 and in the shoulders or ledges'o theportions 7 these studs having nuts 15 upon their inner ends which may betightened up to secure the panels 13 rigidly in position. By this methodof securing the panels in position the latter may be made in completedform at the fatcory ready for installation in the car, these panelsbeing made of such dimensions that if the openings in which they were tobe fitted were perfect, the panels would be a little small but themolding strips 14 wouli overlie and conceal any spaces be tween theedges of the panels 13 and the walls of the window posts; if then thesize of the opening for apanel is reduced by moving the window framesatopposite sides thereof toward each other slightly in ad-' rest.'Thepanels are then secured to the posts of the 'desired ornamented inany suitable manner.

justing them relatively to the. posts 1 and 2,

panel 13 may still be employed within this opening without cutting awaythe metal at its edges.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have illustrated a modification of my inventionsomewhat diiferent from the construction illustrated in -Figs. 1 and'2,but like that in that adjustable securing devices are provide forsecuring the window-frame to the posts of the side wall-of the car. Thepost in this case consists of. a sheet-metal-strip 15' bent to arectangular configuration. The windowframe is; shown at 16 secured tothe post 15' byphirality of brackets 17 having two wings extendingoutwardly therefrom parallel to each other. Secured.v to the windowframe16 are a corresponding number of brackets 18 each having a singleoutwardly 1 extending wing lying between the two wings i of thecorresponding bracket 17 A w dge 1 plate 19 having'a-n inclined edge, asshown, also fits between the two wings of each bracket 17. A bolt 20passes through openings in the wings of-each bracket 17, a horizontalslot in the wing of the corresponding bracket 18 and an inclined slotindie-wedge- It will be seen that by loosening the bolt 20 somewhat thewedge-plates 19 may be moved downwardly and the frame 16 thereby movedaway from the post 15 and when the desired position of the windowframe'.has been found, the bolts 20 may be tightened up to hold these partsrigidly in the proper relative positions. In the constructionillustrated in these figures the windows are provided between adjacentpairs of posts 15 instead of in alternate spaces,

and the sheet-metal panel 21 is provided sosecured to the outer face ofthe post 15 and having its edges-extending under inwardly turned edgeportions 22 upon the windowframe 16.

It will be seen that in accordance with.

the construction above described, a side wall for a car is providedconsisting of parts all of whichmay be manufactured in large quantitiesas factory products and therefore at low cost, .and these may be used asrequired in assembling the parts of a car. These parts may be secured tothe posts forming the supports for the side wall and roof of the carnotwithstanding the fact that the spaces between these postsvary in sizeand shape, and this securing means is such that the window-frames willnot be thereby subjected to distortion which would occasion pooroperation of the windows therein. The spaces between adjacent windowsare filled by the sheet-metal panels which may be readily removed,- whendesired, n order to make any necessary repairs and to paint the interiorwalls of the metallic parts .to prevent corrosion thereof.

Having described my invention what I claim as new therein and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a wall, the combination of two ver-. tically-disposed posts, awindow-frame formed of sheetrmetal lying between said posts and havingthe side-members and a member connecting them rigidly connected togetherto form a unitary structure, secur-' ing devices for securing theside-members of the frame to'the postsadjacent thereto,

means for etlecting an adjustment pf said securing devices to compensatefor varia tions in the-distance between said sidemembers and the adacent posts, an integral extension on one of said side-members, a,

p'anehand Ineans'for securing the anel to said extension independentlyof sand posts,

" substantially as set forth.

2. In. a wall, the combination'of a plurality of vertically disposed,stationarily mounted posts,'brackets securedto the adjacent sides ofsaid posts, means for adjusting the positions of said brackets towardand away from said posts, a window frame lying between ad acentposts andhaving grooves therem to recelve the sashes, and

uncans for securing said frame to said brackets, substantially as setforth.

3. In a wall. the combination of a plural ity of vertically disposedposts, brackets secured to the adjacent-sides of said posts, 'u.-.:.m.=;for adjusting the positions of said brackets toward and away from saidposts,

a window-frame lying between adjacent posts and having the oppositeside-meinbers thereof and a member connecting them rigidly connectedtogether so as toform a unitary structure, and means for securing theside-members of said frame to said brackets, substantially as set forth.

4. In a wall, the combination ofa plurality of vertically disposed,stationarily mounted posts arranged in line, a windowframe between twoadjacent posts having grooves formed thereinto receive the sashes,

a panel between one of said two posts and i the next adjacent post,brackets secured to said two adjacent posts, means for ad'usting-saidbrackets toward and away mm the posts to which they are secured, meansfor securing said frame to.said brackets, securing devices lyingwit-hinsaid frame for securing the panel to the frame, and a molding overlyingthe joint between the panel and frame, substantially as set forth.

5. In a wall,'the combination of two .ver-

tically disposed .posts,- a plurality of brackets, adjustable means forsecuring said brackets to the adjacent sides of said posts, said meansincluding threaded rods coacting with said osts and said bracketsandnuts on said ro s, and a window-frame secured to said brackets,substantially as set forth.

6; In a wall,'the combination of two V8!" tically disposed, stationarilymounted posts,

a window-frame formed of sheet-metal lying between said posts, havingrooves formed therein to receive the sas ies, securing devices forsecuring the side-members of said frame to the posts adjacent thereto,

- means for effecting an adjustment of said securing devices, integralportions on the sidemembers of said frame extendin to the nonadacentsides of said posts, an means for securing said portions to saidposts, substanorth,

tially as set 7 In a wall, the combination of two vertically disposedposts, a window-frame formed of sheet metal lying between said posts,securing devices for securing the sidemembers of said frame to the postsadjacent thereto, means for effecting an adjustment of saidsecuringdevices, integral portions on the side'me'mbers of said frameextending to the non-adjacent sides of said posts,

a sheet-metal panel, and means for securing I extending to the oppositeside of the adjaeent post, a panel lying between said lastnamed 0st andthe next adjacent post and means or securing said panel to said integralortion of the Window-frame, substantial y as set forth.

9. In swell the combination of a plnrah ity of .verticaliy disposed'osts arranged in line, a wind0w-frame made of sheet-metal lying betweentwo adjacent posts, brackets between said two posts and the side-membersof said frame, means for adjusting said brackets in aeordance With thespace between saidvp'osts and side-members, an integral. portion on oneof said side-members extending to the opposite side of the adjacentpost, a pane] lying between said last named post and the next adjacentost, securing devices lyin. Within the side-mornber of the 'window-'rame having said extension thereon for securing said panel to saidside-member, and a molding overlying the joint between said panel andside-member, substantially as set forth.

This specification. signed and witnessed this 29th day of A r'il, 1909.

v JA OB K. HOFFMAN. Witnesses H. T. Bionpow, Enw unn Gr. Bonn.

